Supreme Court Defies God’s Clear Teaching on Marriage

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5–4 to strike down the key elements of the Defense of Marriage Act and deemed them as unconstitutional. In another 5-4 vote, Justices ruled that a federal judge’s decision to strike down the California amendment known as Prop 8 would remain. This amendment was approved by the voters and had banned same-sex marriage, but this ruling now makes it possible for California to resume performing same-sex marriages in the coming weeks.

Our nation is clearly in open rebellion against God. Scripture warns us of what happens when we give up God’s Word for the lie:

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:20–25)

Sadly, we’re witnessing first-hand the effects of giving up the truth for a lie. The Supreme Court decisions are just another confirmation of how God is giving up our nation to judgment because of the way the culture has eroded biblical authority. Today’s lead article on the Answers in Genesis website is a full analysis of these decisions, written by Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell. I’ve included the introductory paragraphs below.

In a pair of landmark decisions, the Supreme Court of the United States yesterday laid the groundwork for the creation of a new civil right to same-sex “marriage.” In one case, the Court overturned a decisive section of a federal law defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. In a second case, it refused to uphold the rights of American citizens who had, in their own state of California, exercised their right to create a law defending that definition. While the Supreme Court did not declare that same-sex marriage is a civil right or overturn state laws prohibiting it, it did prepare the way for state-by-state battles leading to that end.

Once in Defense of Marriage

The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was passed in 1996 at a time when no states permitted same-sex marriage. The law preserved the rights of individual states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages sanctioned by other states. That section of DOMA still stands—so far.

Section 3 of DOMA—now declared unconstitutional by a 5–4 decision—defined marriage as “only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife” and specified that spouse “refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife” for the purposes of “determining the meaning” of any federal law. As such, DOMA effectively prevented same-sex couples from obtaining federal marriage benefits by simply moving to a state recognizing same-sex marriage. Those marriage benefits primarily include the financial benefits that accrue to married couples, such as Social Security survivor benefits, the option of filing joint tax returns, and governmental employees’ insurance benefits.

I urge you to read the entire article so you understand the implications of the Supreme Court’s decisions and can also better respond to skeptics on the issue of homosexual behavior and same-sex marriage.

The justices who have openly shaken their fists in rebellion against God will one day give an account to the Creator they are defying. I sincerely pray they repent and that the unbelieving justices will believe the gospel.

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Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ effectively. We focus on providing answers to questions about the Bible—particularly the book of Genesis—regarding key issues such as creation, evolution, science, and the age of the earth.